Welcome to my home in the blogosphere. I'll be exploring my favorite books, movies, and the writing world in general, along with discovering my new home, California. I'll also be sharing my old home, New Hampshire with you. Thanks for popping in and I hope you enjoy some romance under the moonlight.

I'm a member of EPIC, Writing.com, and Military Writers of America

A Gentleman and a Rogue

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

It's National Dispatcher's Week! Hug a Dispatcher :) #ndw

Dispatchers are
always heard, never seen. They're hard workers and the unsung heroes of police,
fire, and first responders. If you have an opportunity, tour a PSAP (Public
Safety Answering Point) where dispatchers work, offer them a hung, or just say
"thank you." It means a lot.

Surprisingly, 911
is only 46 years old. Bob Fitzgerald first implemented it in 1968 in
Haleyville, Alabama. Since then, it took until about the mid 1980's for the
system to be implemented nationwide.

Patricia Anderson
out of Contra Costa County, CA, Sheriff's Dept. in 1982, conceived national
Dispatchers week. In 1991, Congress first declared National Dispatcher and
President George H.W. Bush signed the first proclamation.

For the most part,
I enjoy being a dispatcher and assisting people get the help they need.
Dispatchers are staffed 24/7 and I've worked all watches. That can take a lot
out of you physically (especially your sleep) and mentally. I've heard all
kinds of calls, so I thought I'd share a few with you:

NOTE: Before you
call 911, keep this mind: does my issue warrant a 911 call and a police
response? Remember 911 is for emergencies, not your loud party.

Drumroll please….

Don't call the
police if you want a refund from your drug dealer. (yes, I've gotten several
calls like this)

Don't call if
you're lonely.

Don't call to
complain about your parents (not letting you leave the house) or on your kids
12 and under who are refusing to listen to you.

Don't call to say
you locked yourself in your car.

Don't call to
complain about your fast food order, sandwich, nuggets, or coffee. Instead
complain to the company's district manager, cooperate headquarters, or better
business bureau.

I found a great
dispatcher's board on Pinterest I thought I'd share: Dispatcher's Rule the
World.

DARK SHADOW: Set
in the distant future, can Helios save the Borealis from a deadly biological
weapon or will Vivian get in his way?

ENJOY THIS
EXCERPT:

Helios drew close.
Impulse took over. His lips skirted hers. His warm breath and spicy scent made
her feel protected. Vivian leaned against him. Her lips brushed against his. He
tasted of honey and berries -- and chocolate. The seductive sample he offered
fueled her body, urging her to savor and enjoy.

She placed her
palms flat against his muscled chest and her heart skipped a beat. She never
felt so safe, so wanted.

Then reality struck. This was only
a moment. She wasn't TPP or a rebel. Her home was here with Sally and Korn.
Adonis sounded like he wanted more than she could offer, and Benares was not
going to ruin her life again.

Reviews:

B+, Words of Wisdom from the Scarf
Princess

"Ms. Burkhart vividly depicts
this gritty sci-fi world and all its wonders."

4 Stars, Rose, Long & Short
Reviews

"The characters are well drawn
and likeable. I especially liked Sally the Spine cat."

Unfortunately, I have called 911. Just last week, in fact, when my teenage daughter was having a medical emergency. She's home now and seems fine. But we were very thankful that in our moment of panic we were able to call a number and talk to someone who was calm, efficient, and kind. Someone who stayed on the line until help arrived. So, Thank You for the job you do.

2012 Romance of the Year

Journey of the Heart

AMAZON BEST SELLER! It's 1946 - can James help Rachel save her winery after the ravages of war?

Visit me on Twitter at: StephBurkhart

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Quotes on writing:

"Transitions are critically important. I want the reader to turn the page without thinking she's turning the page. It must flow seamlessly." - Janet Evanovich

"You can stroke people with words."~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Words are... the most powerful drug used by mankind."~ Rudyard Kipling

Write drunk; edit sober.- Ernest Hemingway

"A word is deadWhen it is said, Some say.I say it just Begins to liveThat day."~ Emily Dickenson

"Never Regret. If it's good, it's

wonderful. If it's bad, it's

experience." - Victoria Holt

By Heart and Compass

Recommended Read: Danielle Thorne's released, July 2010

Recommended Read:

"Drew realizes the true meaning behind her need for touch, when a tiger shark shifter walks out of her dreams and takes her to his underwater world."

About Me

A member of Generation X, Stephanie was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. After graduating from Central High, she joined the U.S. Army. She spent 11 years in the military, 7 stationed in Germany. While in the military she earned her B.S. in Political Science from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA in 1995. She left the Army in 1997 and settled in California. She now works for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. The New England Patriots are still her favorite football team. Stephanie has been married for over 19 years. She has two boys, Andrew, 8, and Joseph, 4.